Food crisis looms large in Darjeeling hills

Darjeeling, Jun 22 (PTI) The West Bengals hill region appeared to be hurtling towards a severe crisis of food, fuel and other essential commodities with the GJMs indefinite strike for a separate state entering the eighth day today.

All the entry and exit points of trucks, mostly carrying food items, are blocked in the hill region driving it to an impending food crisis.

"More than 80 trucks laden with food have been stranded in the plains as the indefinite bandh continues in the hills," state Food Minister Jyotipriya Mullick said.

As shops and markets remained closed, the prices of essentials have shot up in the black market. The prices of LPG cylinders range between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 in such marts.

"Our domestic food stock is soon coming to an end. I dont know how to arrange our meal thereafter," said Sirish Gurung.

A few hotels, which are still hosting guests and other people, are also in acute shortage of food and fuel, said a hotel owner.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has called an indefinite strike demanding a separate state Gorkhaland. PTI PNT PR RAX

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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